SPD recommends online system to help citizens keep track of valuables

Reportit.leadsonline.com helps Sweetwater and Nolan County citizens safely and securely store important information that is useful in recovering property in the event of a loss or theft

The Sweetwater Police Department encourages all residents to use a free online system that will help keep track of valuable -- and invaluable -- personal property. ReportIt is a free, secure online service allowing citizens to record serial numbers and upload images for phones, electronics and other valuables. Should those items ever be stolen, the Sweetwater Police Department says having the information will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property. Citizens can access the site at reportit.leadsonline.com.
“Users can create their own unique electronic account that only they can access,” explains Sweetwater Chief of Police Brian Frieda. "Property owners can upload photos, scan receipts, record serial and model numbers and descriptions of their items to the site. They can also record unique markings that they may have on their items to better identify the items, should they ever be stolen. This will go a long way in helping officers in recovering stolen property. If you are ever a victim of theft or burglary, you can simply log on to the site and print out the information for law enforcement, which can then be input into the nationwide database to better track the property. This is another way that the community can partner with law enforcement in assisting with recovering stolen items and can also serve as a tool when making claims for insurance purposes."
The ReportIt service is a part of LeadsOnline, the online system that works with police across the country to track and recover stolen property. The Sweetwater Police Department uses LeadsOnline to help track and recover stolen property -- everything from jewelry to sporting equipment to electronics, computers, cameras and other items such as designer clothing, collectibles and other items with invaluable personal worth. The system allows detectives to search for the items using a variety of parameters, including item descriptions and serial numbers. When an item is sold to a pawn or secondhand shop, the product information is entered in the LeadsOnline database and is immediately viewable by participating law enforcement agencies across the country.
Since the Sweetwater Police Department has gone live with LeadsOnline, over $80,000 in stolen property had been recovered. SPD has reported many successes using the online investigations system. Recently, the LeadsOnline system helped one Sweetwater Police Department Sergeant recover several items stolen in Sweetwater that were sold and taken to Abilene and as far away as Dallas.
Other recovered items have included valuable jewelry, camera, construction equipment, iPods, tools, computers and GPS units. With information provided by LeadsOnline, police track down thieves, develop leads in numerous cases and make arrests.
Citizens can store an unlimited number of serial numbers, item descriptions, pictures and scans of receipts so items may be more easily identified in the event of theft. This record may also come in handy when filing claims with insurance providers in the event of loss. Citizens wanting to participate in Report It can register for the free service at reportit.leadsonline.com and begin building their personal property inventory list. Chief Frieda also suggests that property owners make unique marking on their belongings or other identifying information such as driver's license numbers or names to better identify items.